Here are some tunes I'm pretty into right now. Get ready to dance!
1. Spaceman - The Killers Of course I'm gonna start things off with the best song ever written bout alien abduction. duh.
2. Spiralling (Radio Edit) - Keane Great tune. And I'm so glad to hear them explore other sounds, because it's easy to just try and replicate your own success and write the same song over and over (*cough* Coldplay). The spoken-ish bridge is weird though. And the "radio edit" is better, trust me.
3. I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You - Black Kids LOVE the bassline in this song. so hot.
4. Say Goodbye - Samuel Catchy song. When I saw him perform, people were outside later singing and humming this song. i even caught myself doing it! and i swear i'm not biased just because i know him and the song's producer. Hahah, though the "You're making it hard for me" line makes me think of the 90's hit "Too Close," which then makes me laugh. (circa 1:10. also, WHAT IS THAT VIDEO?!? i'm not even gonna start)
5. Sleeping In - The Postal Service Cause every playlist needs its slow jam.
6. Again & Again - Keane Sorry to break the mix tape rules, but what can i say? Perfect Symmetry is a pretty synthtastic album.
7. Take on Me - RAC feat Karl Kling It'll never get old. The granddaddy of synth tunes. obvs!
8. Time to Pretend - MGMT Now THAT'S a synth riff.
9. Take a Bow - Muse Cause every playlist needs its post-apocalyptic jam.
Namely, whenever I discover a cover of A-ha's "Take on Me," it will be reported here. I've already gone on about my love of RAC's version of the song (so good!). It is undoubtedly, as RAC said, "by far the catchiest song of the 80's."
On that note, A.C. Newman has covered the timeless tune for (of all things) a Starbucks compilation album. I take back all my evil thoughts about Starbucks. If Starbucks is the reason this cover exists, than it's OK by me.
Being played by A.C. Newman (of New Pornographers fame), it unfolds in a more mellow and acoustic manner, ala Challengers. I really enjoy the keyboard bringing back the signature riff in a delightfully bright manner during the bridge. And unlike in RAC's version, A.C., while relying on an at-times-heavy reverb, there is no audible auto-tune. I like that.
Take it away, Carl!
Because as long as there is music, there will be "Take on Me."
Vampire Weekend I may had heard the name in 2007, but I didn't really listen to them till they were already passe among the hipper crowd. But they've made an album of catchy, interesting, and unskippable songs (with the obvious exception of "One (Blake's Got a New Face)," i mean seriously, what the fuck is that song?). I love their album forwards and backwards. It is summer in auditory form. I wish I had gotten in to see them when they played Central Park, instead of getting drenched for no reason. Plus, i love their aesthetic. How can you not love boys in cardigans and boat shoes? And seriously, how fun are they? evidence:
Boys in cardigans! adorable!
"Don't Look Back in Anger" - Oasis It's embarrassing that it took Rock Band to acquaint me with this song, but i'll admit it. I think it's probably my favorite song ever. ok, my favorite song ever is Ted Leo's "Walking to Do," but this one is up there.
Gotta love those Gallaghers.
"Take On Me" - RAC feat. Karl Kling (A-ha cover) I'm not about to debate the artistic merits of covers. All I know is that THIS version of THIS song was lodged in my head for a good three days straight. literally. I couldn't sleep, i'd just have this song running through my head. I feel bad for anyone who was around me during that time of my life, for making them listen to me sing "take on me" without even hearing the kickass version of the song i was hearing in my head. now they can. check it out/download it here.
Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin I know they've been around for years. But their excellent Pershing came out this year, and it became my album of the summer. I can't tell you the number of time I listened to it on repeat as I drove to work. There is a lot I like about them; their music is fun and catchy and not too serious. The tracks all have excellent harmony parts as well, and several of them have some great woah-oh's. I guess you need to hear it to know what I mean. What really made me fall in love with them, however, was this adorable video for their song "Think I Wanna Die" (you better believe it's my number 2 listened to song on itunes):
The Shills I had the honor and privilege of working with Bryan Murphy for five weeks this summer. He is one of the most talented men I have ever met, not to mention one of the nicest. His band, the Shills, are a Boston based rock quartet and they are incredible. Their high energy shows are a blast and their songs are simultaneously accessible and musically intricate. No one deserves greater success and renown than they do. Do yourself a favor and check them out. Pick up their self-titled album while you're at it.
Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives - Voxtrot I cannot recommend this EP enough. I adore Voxtrot and have been listening to them for awhile, but I only found this EP in May. It is five tracks of fantastic. I can tell you without exaggeration that I spent a solid week listening to this and the Raised by Wolves EP on repeat. The title track is a particular favorite of mine.
THE BEST RE-DISCOVERY OF 2008:
"Faded" - SoulDecision How could we let THIS slip out of our collective conscience?
